The Millennials

So, in doing a bit of research on emerging adulthood, I came across this article (The Millennials: Confident. Connected. Open to Change) that had an embedded survey. And while I could say I was definitely sick of seeing Qualtrics Surveys (I just took about a hundred for one of my classes), I took this one also!

Because interestingly, it was called How Millennial Are You?

Definitely related to my field. So, I thought, ya this might be worthwhile.

Now for those less familiar, the Millennial Generation consists of individuals born after 1980 (and for those of us who aren’t so good at math, the rough age demographic is between 18-30.)  

The survey wasn’t very long, and consisted of only multiple- choice questions (luckily, no text answer responses!) General questions asked my age, my hometown, etc.

Then, I started to get a lot of technology-related questions like: How many hours of television did you watch in the last 24 hours? Approximately, how many text messages did you send in the last 24 hours? And to round off the 24-hour questioning segment, how many newspaper articles did you read in the past day?

I think the Pew Research Center is trying to hint at something. Maybe we are technology-dependent…? You know, just maybe.

(Or actually, I think “technology-savvy” might be more appropriate. Excuse my diction J)

Then the next set of questions got a little more personal and opinion-based. For example, do you think people of different races marrying each other is a: good thing for society, bad thing for society, or neutral?  

Now, my answer was “a good thing for society.” And to be honest, I can’t imagine anyone really clicking the “bad thing” option. Especially in LA. And even in the Bay Area (where I’m from), you see little HAPA kids everywhere and hundreds of other cool combinations.

Not to mention my roommate is half Nigerian, half Armenian. And another of my roommates is half Korean/half Caucasian. Like the article emphasizes, the Millennials are the most racially and ethnically diverse generation, a trend that will most likely continue due to our liberalness and open attitudes towards change.

Because why not? Culture adds so much to an individual’s personality and lifestyle. And in addition to bridging the cultural divide, mixing it up can only amp up the benefits.

Another interesting question asked how important to me was leading a religious life. I said no—and for many reasons. For one, as a biology major and a person who generally loves facts and black and white, I feel like religion constantly contradicts science. Secondly, I don’t feel like it’s physically necessary to go to church in order to be a good person and have good morals.

And while for a variety of reasons, the Millennial Generation seems to agree. According to the article, one in four individuals between the ages of 18-29 were not affiliated with a religion. But (and this is a big but!), the Millennials did not necessarily pray any less that their parents/grandparents.

Religion is too traditional for us. Especially, when homosexuality and stem-cell research are the topics. And so, many people view religion as an obstacle in the way of social and medical advancement.

And finally, one of the last characteristics I will mention from the article is that the Millennial Generation is very well educated. This is in part due to our knowledge-driven economy; people need higher degrees of certification and so, are enrolling at higher and higher rates for both undergraduate and graduate education.

This may seem like pretty obvious stuff, but I think it’s important to note. We are a very unique generation, and the time we spend between adolescence and full-fledged adulthood only adds to our individuality as a group, and to our individuality as people.

Experience, experience, experience!

Every Sunday I volunteer at a hospital in Santa Monica, specifically at the nurse’s station of the post-partum wing. My shift starts at 10:00 am, and including traffic and getting-ready time, I wake up at about 8:30 am. (On a Sunday….!!!! Let’s keep in mind that I am a college student, and one that likes to sleep in whenever possible.) And once I’m there, I answer phone calls and occasionally make the trip down to the basement lab or to a patient’s room for water, juice, and other requests.

But today I did something crazy… I just quit!

                                                                                   

I just felt like it wasn’t a good use of my time, and I had more things to do that were worthwhile of my Sundays—namely sleep and homework. Now, those who are familiar with the pre-med path must really be thinking, “this girl’s crazy!” Self-sabotage at it’s finest.

But you know, I honestly felt like I was underappreciated—one volunteer among millions, just eager to add another title to their resume. Resume-fillers!!!

It seems that those of us in our twenties are pressured by society to accept just about any work or volunteer position, all for the sake of experience. And yes, obviously, experience is important—it should teach us valuable lessons in the work field or in life, generally.

But does it really?

Because at the hospital I was volunteering at, I didn’t learn very much. Like I said before, I was basically the secretary slash errand girl… And I definitely didn’t sign up for that! I wanted to learn more about the healthcare system, and daily procedures as a doctor. You know, the exciting stuff! (And granted, I understand that as a volunteer, I have no certification to do anything. Literally. But I should at least feel appreciated for spending so much of my time doing someone else’s work. I think the term is bitch work …?)  

But then, without this so-called experience, you won’t get a job and you definitely won’t get into med school! So, we are forced to apply for all of these useless positions. Sort of a tradeoff: do this, or you won’t get what you want.

So, in this sense, the concept of emerging adulthood isn’t necessarily due to just us kids. Contrary to popular belief, we aren’t reluctant to grow up or to accept the responsibilities associated with being an adult—we aren’t lazy to make something of our lives.

But we definitely are pushed towards establishing our careers only after we having completed/tried this, this, and that—a checklist for our future careers. Consequently, much of our time is spent satisfying these requirements and having these jobs/positions that don’t mean very much to us (other than how it can help our futures.) So, time is delayed. And it isn’t until we are much older that we have established our careers and are ready to begin the rest of our lives.

So, there it is. My complaining segment of the day! Hope you enjoyed my take on work experience and emerging adulthood. 

money on my mind

It’s weird that’s it been almost three years now, but I remember my college decision process very distinctly. 

It was between UC San Diego (what with their excellent science rep and it being the destination of many of my friends) and USC (which brought a sense of excitement that couldn’t be rivaled.) The latter seemed so new, and fresh. Something so different from what I already knew. 

So I decided to go to SC.

But in my decision-making process, I made a pros and cons list for each school. And I remember one major con for going to SC (and being in LA in general), was that I would become swept up in materialism and wanting success purely for superficial reasons.

And I remember the way I described it to people…

What if all I care about is the latest, most expensive purse? Or clothing item? Or pair of shoes? Or (insert here)?

Basically, would I be concerned with money—having it, making it, spending it?

Now I don’t think my attitudes have changed quite so sharply and superficially, as I had imagined. But there is definitely a subtle change, and one that I am not really proud of.

It’s not like I came from a farm or anything quite so extreme, but Los Angeles—to me—brings out some pretty bad things in people. And I think it’s pretty evident in the younger generations. So many people have such greedy attitudes, and purely money-driven goals for the future.

For instance, I know of a friend who is contemplating between two very different paths. One: going to med school, and becoming a surgeon. Or two: creating a tech business with his friends. In my opinion, he clearly loves technology, inventing, and thinking of new ideas, but he has never let the idea of med school slip away.

But then, when you ask him: then why not be a doctor?!

He says they don’t make enough money. (I’m pretty sure a surgeon makes excess of $400,000……..)

Hearing this made me pretty worried. Because our generation is like this! Yes, we are a generation of do-ers and go-getters, but how much of this is due to reasons of personal advancement? Or to be blunt—for money?

(And you know, I don’t want to be mistaken here. Or judged off the bat. I completely understand the importance of money in our society; it undoubtedly opens the door for many opportunities and in providing for your family. Don’t get me wrong..)

But I think so much of our youth is dedicated to getting ahead, dedicated to being wealthy.

I know for me, I didn’t want to waste any time. I knew I’d be in school for eight years (four for undergrad, and four for medical school.) So I thought: you can’t diddle daddle!

Start now!

But once undergrad is completed, I definitely plan on taking this break. I want to forget about things for a while, and just be.

Is that okay, society?

Take a break for a while, enjoy some time with myself and others, and not correlate the future with money!!